miscellaneous

1. i ran 7 miles yesterday. 

the last time i ran 7 miles, i was in my 20's.  

 ice ice baby was the #1 song

(which may suprise you, is actually on my running playlist).

and acid washed jeans

& cowboy boots were in style

(which will segue smoothly into my second point).

i was so excited with myself

that i didn't pass go nor did i collect $200,

i did however celebrate by driving through mcd's & ordering a double cheeseburger.

true story.

rockin' boots pair #1

 & rockin' boots #2

( christmas present from dan)

2. i've been looking for a new pair of cowboy boots for a while.

the last time i purchased cowboy boots 

beverly hills 90210 premiered on fox.

purchasing a good pair of boots can be a bit tricky

but these fit me like a glove

so i ended up with two.

therefore

every single day

( that i've actually dressed & left the house)

i have wore one of these 

for the last 2 months.

yet another riveting true story.

3. it's only January 24

& yes, i'm already behind in my 365 reading through bible.

super.

4. i did however read the latest novella from my favorite fiction author

this weekend

( The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry).

probably shouldn't admit that right after the bible confession.

sweet book with a couple quotes i'd love to share:

"your story, your life, and your journey 

all involve what came before you 

& what comes after-

all hints of who you are"

&

"all of our lives we must choose between

what others define us to be

& who we are meant to be"

5. totally loving the 365 photo project.

the moon was spectacular the other evening.

as far as my settings, i don't know if i did everything correctly

but i'm glad i'm learning

& making that a priority.

i have also uploaded the first three weeks onto my photoblog

6. the html coding is not working 

on either of my blog buttons.

hope to get that remedied this week.

7. & finally

this should probably deserve a post on it's own

but i'll share today nonetheless.

our church family lost an amazing godly woman this week.

becka passed away unexpectadly after experiencing complications from a kidney stone.

she was a dynamic staff member

known for her gracious smile and hospitality to everyone that walked through the door.

she left behind a precious husband who adored her.

she left behind three young children who clearly thought she was amazing.

i heard yesterday that her funeral was the largest one at our church

however she never spoke on the stage.

but what an impact she made loving & serving others.

one of my dearest friends, jodi, was best friends with becka.

jodi's tribute saturday morning at the funeral 

was one of the most powerful, beautiful, heartfelt that i've ever heard.

she spoke , infront of thousands, to each child

& told them specifically how much their mama loved them.

she told becka's husband that in all the years they were friends

she never once heard becka say anything ugly about him.

only how much she was proud to be his wife.

i sat there and wept

for those babies

& for that dear man who truly adored his bride.

i thought of the loss her 'best friends' are experiencing

& the big hole at our church now that she's gone.

i thought about the legacy that she left

& the call to love others well.

i thought about the strength and resolve

of women in times of crisis

& how priceless our relationships are.

i chose a verse this year

that i pray for both in my life and the lives of my family.

again this week faced with the brevity of our lives

i was reminded what i know that we all know.

love others well

be kind to everyone

& make relationships a priority

Ephesians 5:15-16

 Be very careful, then, how you live

not as unwise but as wise, 

making the most of every opportunity, 

because the days are evil. 

on a lighter note, while thinking about women & friendships,

 i thought about one of my all time favorite movies.

i'll leave you with this scene~